Trump continues to dazzle his personal life and is now redesigning the Oval Office and American democracy
The White House and Capitol, two iconic symbols of American democracy, have a rich history that dates back to the late 18th century. George Washington and Thomas Jefferson, the first President and Secretary of State, respectively, played crucial roles in selecting their designs.
In 1792, a design competition was held for both the President’s House (later the White House) and the Capitol building. For the White House, Irish-American architect James Hoban emerged as the winner. Hoban, who had studied architecture in Ireland and had designed the South Carolina State Capitol and Charleston County Courthouse, was chosen by Washington after they met during a southern tour in 1791.
The Capitol’s architectural competition was won by William Thornton, a physician without formal architectural training but admired by Jefferson for his design. Thornton’s original design required later supervision and modifications by architects like Stephen Hallet and Benjamin Henry Latrobe, but it was Thornton’s plan that laid the foundation for the Capitol.
James Hoban, with his Irish background, was significant in this process as the White House was based on an Irish prototype, Leinster House, in Dublin. Hoban also supervised the construction of part of the Capitol.
Fast forward to the present day, and the White House has become a focal point of controversy. Donald Trump, the 45th President, has been known for his extravagant gold adornments, bedazzling everything from tweezers to seat belts to TV remotes. This tacky rococo style is growing exponentially, with Trump attempting to transform the White House into a Saudi palace, akin to "dictator chic."
The justice department is being perceived as a wholly owned subsidiary of Trump Inc, with the FBI being used as a political police force against Trump’s perceived foes. Brian Driscoll, who briefly served as acting head of the FBI, was dismissed for attempting to protect agents from Trump's purge of anyone involved in investigating the January 6th insurrection.
Meanwhile, the Capitol continues to stand as a testament to the enduring spirit of democracy. The White House, on the other hand, has become the single greatest home court advantage in the modern world, a place where chaos and controversy often reign.
As we look back at the history of these two iconic buildings, it's hard not to reflect on the words of David Axelrod: "In one year, we'll celebrate 250 years of independence from a mad king. Would you not give anything to invite Washington, Jefferson, and Lincoln back to comment on what they're seeing? It's blasphemous."
References:
- White House History: The Design Competition
- Capitol History: The Design Competition
- The White House: A History
- Capitol History: Architecture
- Trump's Gold-plated White House
- Justice Department Perceived as Trump's Political Tool
- FBI Investigations and Trump's Purge
- Trump's Attempts to Protect Rioters
- Brazil Tariff and Trump's Ally
- Jared Wise, Rioter Turned Justice Department Advisor
- Tim Cook and the Gold Plaque
Policy-and-legislation discussions in the Capitol have become a battleground, with the examination of the justice department's perceived relationship with the White House raising significant concerns. The sports world, meanwhile, is far from the political turmoil, with sports-betting debates continuing as a separate entity from the general-news headlines. War-and-conflicts, crime-and-justice, and politics, however, intertwine frequently, as seen in the recent controversies surrounding the White House.
